294 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



tions where more or less work has been done by the Commis- 

 sioners within the last few years. 



In the last months of the year 1909, there were 455 head 

 tested and 130 animals reacted, or 28}^%. To replace these 

 animals the dairymen bought new cows subject to the test, 

 and no sales could be made without the test. In this way, 356 

 more cattle were tested and 80 of them reacted, or 22^%. 



We do not say that all sections where no work has been done 

 would be as bad as Sanford, but we do say that wherever dis- 

 ease is located, and no effort has been made to suppress it, 

 there will be a very much larger percentage than in sections 

 where owners of cattle have been trying for years to get rid 

 of it. 



Continuing this matter of saving to the State, it might be 

 Vv'ell to say : The labor of disinfecting the barns and tie-ups 

 has under the law of 1909 been paid for by the State. This 

 should be done by the OAvner at his expense, which would have 

 saved $2,121.40 during the last two years. 



The law regarding appraisals might appear to be too liberal 

 in its provisions, yet in New York State, pure blood cattle are 

 appraised at $125.00, grade cattle at $75.00, and horses at 

 $120.00. They are paid for on the basis of clinical and post- 

 mortem appearances. Cattle affected with localized tubercu- 

 losis are paid for at 80% of the appraisal ; those with general- 

 ized tuberculosis are paid for at 50% of the appraisal. 



Under such a system it is doubtful if there would be any 

 saving in this State, as the appraised values now fall below 

 these amounts on the average. Yet it would be well to con- 

 sider whether it is right to pay full value for an animal that 

 has been kept until it is ready to die with the disease. It has 

 done all the harm that it is capable of doing, and the destruc- 

 tion of it can hardly be called "protecting the cattle industry 

 of the State." 



Again, under the old law, owners paid for the testing of 

 sound animals in the herd, even where disease was found ; but 

 under the new law, if only one diseased animal is found, the 

 State pays the bill for testing the whole herd. This has raised 

 the expense to the State for veterinarians to a large degree. 



Recoveries from the sale of hides have not been as large as 

 they should have been, as there has been no provision of law 



